Chris McPadden is a retired Major General in the United States Army, having served for 35 years. He currently serves as CEO and President of Drive Forward, a consultancy focused on strategic planning, organizational development and leadership training. He previously served as a Co-President of the Grace and Mercy Foundation. As a retired Major General in the United States Army, McPadden’s’ past roles have included: Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy; Deputy Director of Joint Strategic Planning; Director of Concept Development and Learning; and Director of Future Plans in Afghanistan. Throughout his 35 years of active military service, Chris has mentored cadets and officers, developing the next generation of leaders in service to our country.He previously served as Chief of Operational War Plans at U.S. Central Command. He began his military career in the 3-505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. McPadden’s other command and staff positions include Assistant S3 and Long Range Surveillance Detachment Commander, 1st Infantry Division; Assistant Chief of Division Plans, Battalion S3 and Commander for 1-27 Infantry, 25th Infantry Division; G3 Strategic Plans, U.S. Army Pacific; Strategy, Plans and Policy Officer (FA 59); and Deputy Chief of Operational War Plans, U.S. Central Command. Chris received B.S. in American Studies from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a M.A. in History from Brown University, a Master of Military Art and Science (M.M.A.S) from the School of Advanced Military Studies, and a M.S. in National Security Strategy from the Army War College. His military education includes Airborne School, Ranger School, Infantry Officer Basic School and the School of Advanced Military Studies. Chris is married to Linda, and they have two children: Jeremiah, who recently graduated from Wheaton College, and Mayla, who is a sophomore at Liberty University. He enjoys playing saxophone, chess, fishing, water sports, skiing, kit cars, weight lifting, and strategic investing.

Ready to transform your business with military precision? In this exclusive interview, two-star General Chris McPadden reveals powerful strategic planning secrets learned from leading massive operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Discover the three leadership principles—selfless service, taking care of people, and ultimate teamwork—that propelled him from a cadet at West Point to directing strategic drawdowns involving hundreds of thousands of troops and equipment. Chris shares riveting personal stories of overcoming setbacks, including nearly leaving West Point after a devastating loss, and his unlikely journey to becoming a highly respected military strategist. Learn how these invaluable lessons translate directly to business success, empowering leaders to clarify their vision, craft executable plans, and foster teams that deliver outstanding results consistently. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring leader, Chris’s insights will equip you with the exact strategic frameworks used by elite military units to execute complex missions flawlessly. Connect with Chris McPadden: Website: https://www.driveforward.biz/ LinkedIn: / christopher-mcpadden

This promotional video was shot as a sample of what Chris McPadden brings to his speaking engagements.

Maj. Gen. Chris McPadden, the United States Army’s strategy chief discusses plans for readiness, modernization, reform and partnering with allies during an interview with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian at the 2018 AUSA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Our AUSA coverage is brought to you by Bell, a Textron Company, Elbit Systems of America, L3 Technologies, Leonardo DRS, and Safran.

Join Chris McPadden on location in Afghanistan as he is interviewed for the Peachtree 10k Shadow run.

National Day of Prayer. Military Speaker Brig. General Chris McPadden